Our society emphasizes fitness, strength, youth, and vitality, and yet
the body runs its own course. We can do things to keep it strong and
healthy, but these types of measures are limited. We are blessed to
have the Buddhist teachings because they encourage us to come to terms
with aging, sickness and death -- fundamental truths of our existence.

Because of the power of our emotions, we are called upon in this practice to cultivate emotional mindfulness and emotional freedom. What is the interface then between experiencing our feelings fully and maintaining emotional equanimity or balance? How can we relate to our emotional life in a way that allows the creative power of our hearts to awaken?

The Buddha explained how concentration, energy and equanimity work together to help purify a practitioner's mind over time. How can we wisely develop and bring to balance these qualities essential to waking up?

This talk gives an overview of the continually changing terrain of
practice-- the various seasons of the heart, which expose us to all
sides of human experience. A question is then explored: where is
progress on the path to be found if we keep cycling through the same
seasons of the heart?

The Buddha's discourse on refinement of mind from the Anguttara Nikaya describes the process a practitioner experiences in moving from grosser types of attachment to more subtle and refined ones. This talk focuses on how the practice affects our thoughts, words and actions as we continue our journey of awakening.